Forty enterprises in ten different areas have been found to be
involved in the substandard milk powder scheme that left 12 babies
dead and 229 others suffering from malnutrition, according to the
preliminary results of an official investigation published
Sunday.
The incident first came to light in Fuyang City, Anhui
Province.
In late April, Premier Wen Jiabao ordered the State Council to
organize a special team to investigate the incident in the city and
in other areas.
Investigators have uncovered production sources, distribution
channels and locations of the substandard milk powders.
Twelve babies have died of malnutrition after being fed the milk
powder. Earlier reports indicated there were 13 deaths, but three
of those were found to have been linked to other diseases.
Investigators confirmed that two additional deaths were caused by
the milk powder.
Some 229 other infants were found to be suffering nutritional
deficiencies as a result of being fed the milk powder. Twenty-eight
are still being treated in hospitals.
The investigators found that some of the producers were using
starch, sugar, milk essence and other cheap ingredients to make the
powder, which was deficient in the protein, fat and vitamins
necessary for infant growth.
No poisonous materials, such as lead and arsenic, nor hormones,
were discovered in the milk powder. The illnesses and deaths
resulted from malnutrition, rather than poisoning, the
investigators concluded.
The team found 55 types of substandard milk powder were sold in
Fuyang City. They were produced by 40 enterprises in 10 provinces,
autonomous regions and municipalities and were sold to Fuyang
mainly through the Wankelai Market in Zhengzhou, Henan
Province; Changjiang Wholesale Market in Hefei, Anhui Province;
and Taipingjie Market in Bengbu, Anhui Province.
Local law enforcement departments have so far arrested 31
suspects and detained 47 others. More than 100,000 bags of milk
powder have been confiscated.
Zheng Xiaoyu, head of the State Food and Drug Administration and
the State Council's investigation team, said the investigation will
continue and those responsible will be dealt with according to
law.
(Xinhua News Agency May 17, 2004)